Bark Beetles or Cigarette Beetles

Subject: What is this beetle? Geographic location of the bug: League City, Texas Date: 10/22/2017 Time: 12:24 AM EDT These beetles have infested my towel closet in the bathroom (20-50 bugs). I’ve fogged the room and it killed some, but they showed up again in 48 hours, primarily in the towels, but some are crawling along the floor. They are tiny, about 1/5 the size of rice grain. What are these things? How you want your letter signed: CR and bugs

Bark Beetles or Cigarette Beetles???

Dear CR, Based on the University of Minnesota Extension site, these look like Bark Beetles in the family Scolytidae, that are described as “small (1/8-¼ inch long), robust reddish brown to black insects. They are very common in the landscape, and can emerge from many types of wood brought into homes.” Is your towel closet made of cedar? Though there are many species of similar looking Bark Beetles, your individuals resemble the Cedar Bark Beetle pictured on BugGuide.

Update: Cesar Crash of Insetologia has suggested these might be Cigarette Beetles, but BugGuide indicates they eat: “Dry plant matter of any sort, including spices and tobacco.” We wonder what might be their food in the towel closet.